Prior names
Wurmbea sp. Nilpinna (F.J.Badman 7107)
Common names
Davenport Range Star-lily
Etymology
Wurmbea name after Friedrick Wilhelm von Wurmb, merchant and botanist in 18th century Batavia (Jakarta). Nilpinna named after the station property containing the Davenport Range, where the type specimen was collected from and is of Aboriginal origin.
Distribution and status
Endemic to South Australia and found only in the Davenport Ranges, growing on rock slopes in fertile red clay. Native. Very rare in South Australia.
Herbarium region: Lake Eyre
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Herb to 20 cm tall, with fleshy purplish stems to 3 mm diameter. Leaves 3, the lowest linear-lanceolate, falcate, to 15 cm long and 5 mm wide, with a leathery texture, middle leaf similar but shorter and with an inflated base, upper leaf just below the inflorescence, ovoid, bract-like, to 3 cm long. Inflorescence spike with 1- 5, white with pink edging star-like flowers, tepals narrow lanceolate, nectary a distinctive pink �pocket� in the middle of each tepal, anthers ovoid, purple-red, ovary ovoid, red. Flowering between June and September, depending on rainfall. Fruits are brown papery box-like capsule to 25 mm long, containing many seeds. Seeds are orange brown globular seed to 2 mm diameter, with a wrinkled surface. Seed embryo type is linear under-developed.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between September and November. Collect mature capsules, those turning pale straw colour and containing hard brown seeds. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for two weeks. Then rub the capsules gently by hand to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. From one collection, the seed viability was high, at 90%.
| Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGA | 1,040 (6.88 g) | 100+ | 9-Oct-2010 | DJD1967 Lake Eyre | 1-Jan-2012 | 90% | -18°C |
Number of plants: This is the number of plants from which the seeds were collected.
Collection location: The Herbarium of South Australia's region name.
% Viability: Percentage of filled healthy seeds determined by a cut test or x-ray.